Case #782

DATE: April 15, 2015

PARTIES: University of Toronto v G.E.
 
Hearing Date(s): February 18, 2015
 
Panel Members:
Roslyn Tsao, Chair
Pascal Van Lieshout, Faculty Member 
Brian Lynch, Student Member 
 
Appearances: 
Lily Harmer, Assistant Discipline Counsel 
David Perley, Course Instructor
Wayne Dowler, Dean’s Designate, UTS
 
In Attendance: 
Jesse Elders, Articling Student
Natalie Ramtahal, Coordinator, Appeals, Discipline and Faculty Grievances
 
Trial Division – s. B.i.1(d) and B.i.3(b) of the Code – student does not appear – plagiarism – no past misconduct – grade of zero in course; two-year suspension; three-year notation on transcript; report to Provost for publication
 
The Student was charged with plagiarism contrary to s. B.i.1(d) and, in the alternative, one charge s. B.i.3(b) of the Code. The Student did not attend the hearing and it was noted that the Student had communicated to the University that he did not plan to attend or participate. The Panel was satisfied that the Student had reasonable notice of the hearing and had been emailed and phoned in accordance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the University Tribunal and the hearing proceeded. 
 
The University called the course instructor as a witness. He testified that he reviewed the issue of academic misconduct and that Turnitin.com would be used to detect plagiarism. The Student submitted an assignment which was flagged by Turnitin.com and the instructor noticed there were no references or citations. The Panel had no trouble identifying plagiarism and attempts to hide it. The Dean’s Designate testified that the Student did not respond to his attempts to reach him. The Student had not returned to the University since being placed on academic probation. 
 
The Panel found the Student guilty of plagiarism and the University withdrew the alternative charge.
 
The University sought a penalty of a grade of zero in the course, a two-year suspension, and a notation in the Student’s academic record for three years. The Student had no prior record of academic misconduct and had not registered at the University since the Winter 2014 term. 
 
The Panel assigned a grade of zero in the course, imposed a two-year suspension, ordered a notation on the Student’s transcript for three years, and ordered that the case be reported to the Provost for publication.